EVALUATION OF THE ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA L. AND STRYPHNODENDRON ROTUNDIFOLIUM MART. TINCTURES AGAINST ORAL BACTERIA.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the in vitro the antibacterial activity of the Hamamelis (Hamamelis virginiana L.) and Barbatimão (Stryphnodendron rotundifolium Mart.) tinctures against Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175), Streptococcus oralis (ATCC 10557) and Streptococcus salivarius (ATCC 9758). Material and Methods: Chlorhexidine (0.12%) was used as positive control. Distilled water and 70% alcohol were chosen as negative controls. The dilution of the tinctures was carried out from 1:1 (pure form) to 1:64 (D6) in 70% alcohol, which is found in the tinctures formula. The culture medium Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) was used, and microorganisms were inoculated on petri plates using swabs. Plates were incubated at 37 ºC, in microaerophilia, for 48 hours. Tests were performed in duplicate and halos were measured using a manual caliper. Results: The positive control showed inhibition halos of 16, 15, and 16 mm on S. mutans, S. oralis and S. salivarius, respectively. None of the tinctures evaluated, in any form (diluted or pure), were found to show inhibition halos on these oral bacteria. Distilled water and 70% alcohol did not exhibit activity. Conclusion: The tinctures of Hamamelis and Barbatimão did not demonstrated antibacterial activity on S. mutans, S. oralis and S. salivarius. DESCRIPTORS: Phytotherapeutic Drugs. Microbiology. Products with Antimicrobial Action. Dental prophylaxis.